Monday, June 23, 2008

Via Kevin Drum, these interesting responses to the question "What do you see as the gravest long-term threat to the U.S. economy?"

Obama: If we don't get a handle on our energy policy, it is possible that the kinds of trends we've seen over the last year will just continue. Demand is clearly outstripping supply. It's not a problem we can drill our way out of. It can be a drag on our economy for a very long time unless we take steps to innovate and invest in the research and development that's required to find alternative fuels. I think it's very important for the federal government to have a role in that process.

McCain: Well, I would think that the absolute gravest threat is the struggle that we're in against Islamic extremism, which can affect, if they prevail, our very existence. Another successful attack on the United States of America could have devastating consequences.

Is this from the Rudy Giulliani school of political messaging? The absurdity of the answer is matched only by this unrelated statement by McCain aid Mark Soohoo at the Personal Democracy Forum:

“John McCain is aware of the Internet,” says Soohoo. “This is a man who has a very long history of understanding on a range of issues.”

A long history of understanding on a range of issues? Well that's quite an accomplishment!